Photographic Art of opinion...

[Janie]

I want to shoot a piece that I know will be very controversial and just wondering the legalities as far as expressing an opinion via art/photography. Anyone know?

[Irakly Shanidze]

shoot anything you want. for true art there are no rules of decency.

[opus]

I suppose you can't harm someone or deface property in the process, however.

[payn817]

Here is a link that may answer your question. Really it seems to come down to wether or not it causes anyone or anything any harm or loss. If it offends or breaks a law (but doesn't cause harm) it still has to be seen as "artistic", otherwise, you could be prosecuted.
http://www.csulb.edu/~jvancamp/freedom1.html

They have recently added photography to protected acts, from my understanding. However, again, it must be seen as "artistic".

[mtbbrian]

Janie,
Give us some details, so we can understand what you are looking for here.
Sounds like a fun project!
Brian

[megan]

Wow - I think there are very few limits. From Lewis Hine to Weegee to Mapplethorpe to Nan Goldin and on and on - I'd say pretty much anything goes, as long as it's not blackmail. However, if you took two Barbie dolls and photgraphed them in questionable poses, I think Mattel might have some issues with it, so in a case like that, I would do some research on trademarks and the like beforehand. They've got fancy lawyers.

But like MTB Brian said, I can't really tell unless I've got more info. But don't limit your expression because you're afraid of what people think....

Megan